"When the Lady sings she's going to burn this whole place down you better believe it!If you like raw no bullshit blues listen to this track - she's not playin' around! 4.5 out of 5 stars"
NKECHI ANELE - TRIPLE J
LADY VALIANT 2018 DEBUT ALBUM 'BACKROADS' - No. 13 ON THE AUSTRALIAN BLUES & ROOTS AIRPLAY CHARTS.
LADY VALIANT BIO
"Lady Valiant: Where the raw spirit of Delta Blues meets the electrifying energy of modern rock, delivering a fresh and captivating musical experience."
"Lady Valiant: Where the raw spirit of Delta Blues meets the electrifying energy of modern rock, delivering a fresh and captivating musical experience."
Lady Valiant is a powerhouse four-piece rock band that was founded Georgia, USA, in 2015 and are now based in Cairns, Far North Queensland. Known for their unique blend of Blues and the electrifying energy of modern rock, Lady Valiant has carved out a distinct musical identity. Drawing inspiration from the raw and gritty sounds of the original Delta Blues masters, they craft heavy groove riffs and foot-stomping original songs that resonate with audiences.
If you could add one part of the soulful intensity of Koko Taylor, a dash of The Tedeschi Trucks Band, and a heavy dose of the Rage Against the Machine rhythm section—into the blender . The result would be somewhere in the realm of Lady Valiant. The band's line-up features Glenna Lynes on vocals, Marty Brown on guitar, James 'Fry' Allen on drums, and Matt Gerdes on bass. Each member brings their unique background and expertise to the group, creating a formidable ensemble.
Lady Valiants hard work and dedication to their craft have led them to perform around 150 shows per year. They cut their teeth on the Australian pub scene, honing their skills before transitioning into the festival circuit. Alongside their festival appearances, they have had the privilege of supporting notable Australian acts while also embarking on tours in the United States and along the East Coast of Australia.
In December 2018, Lady Valiant released their debut album, "Backroads." The record was heavily influenced by the band's tour of the United States and their exploration of the Deep South, including areas like Memphis and the Mississippi Delta region. The songs on Backroads evoke stories of legendary blues figure Robert Johnson and the vibrant gospel churches of West Memphis. Lady Valiant expertly blends elements of soul, blues, and folk, resulting in a fun, funky, and gritty sound that resonates with listeners.
Lady Valiant's journey has been punctuated by remarkable achievements and performances. They have graced various festivals, such as Wallaby Creek Festival, Tablelands Folk Festival, Yackandandah Folk Festival, Bendigo Blues & Roots Festival & Mitchell Creek Rock & Blues. They have supported renowned artists like Ash Grunwald and Jon Stevens & You Am I and have received recognition as the Best Live Local Entertainer in the Douglas Business Awards.
Lady Valiant continues to captivate audiences with their powerful and authentic music. Their fusion of Delta Blues with a contemporary edge sets them apart, making them a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. With their unwavering dedication and ongoing musical exploration, the band is currently working on a new album, promising fresh and captivating experiences for their growing fanbase.
Lady Valiant's hard work and dedication to their craft have led them to perform around 150 shows per year. They cut their teeth on the Australian pub scene, honing their skills before transitioning into the festival circuit. Alongside their festival appearances, they have had the privilege of supporting notable Australian acts while also embarking on tours in the United States and along the East Coast of Australia.
In December 2018, Lady Valiant released their debut album, "Backroads." The record was heavily influenced by the band's tour of the United States and their exploration of the Deep South, including areas like Memphis and the Mississippi Delta region. The songs on "Backroads" evoke stories of legendary blues figure Robert Johnson and the vibrant gospel churches of West Memphis. Lady Valiant expertly blends elements of soul, blues, and folk, resulting in a fun, funky, and gritty sound that resonates with listeners.
Lady Valiant's journey has been punctuated by remarkable achievements and performances. They have graced various festivals, such as Wallaby Creek Festival, Tablelands Folk Festival, Yackandandah Folk Festival, Bendigo Blues & Roots Festival & Mitchell Creek Roack & Blues. They have supported renowned artists like Ash Grunwald and Jon Stevens & You Am I and have received recognition as the Best Live Local Entertainer in the Douglas Shire Business Awards.
Lady Valiant continues to captivate audiences with their powerful and authentic music. Their fusion of Delta Blues with a contemporary edge sets them apart, making them a force to be reckoned within the music industry. With their unwavering dedication and ongoing musical exploration, the band is currently working on a new album, promising fresh and captivating experiences for their growing fanbase.
"Far north Queensland blues outfit, Lady Valiant make their debut offering with Back Roads, a self produced densely packed 7 track EP celebrating the Blues, recorded at Big Sister Studios in Cairns. Formed in 2015 by South Carolina native Glenna Lynes and Victorian Marty Brown, and now based in Port Douglas, Lady Valiant are emerging as some of far north Queensland's most distinguished Blues storytellers, and if Back Roads is any indication they are just getting warmed up.
With a few trips back to the US in the last few years after they formed in Georgia, Lady Valiant's inspiration by the Delta Blues masters is evident and abundant, though with contemporary gritty electric slide guitar in spades, and female lead vocals Back Roads brings a fresh take on the often male dominated genre. From the opening track “I'm Gone”, the first and last warning of a woman fed up with her man, Back Roads drives fast on a dusty road right to the last note. A sparsely hypnotic and tightly coiled version of Blind Willie Johnson's dark gospel number, “John the Revelator” reveals a more murky and dangerous side to Lady Valiant and showcases Lynes' raw and powerful vocals to full effect. “The Outlaw”, an ode to moonshining, opens with a heavily southern accented monologue from vocalist Glenna Lynes' uncle, a Georgia moonshiner affectionately known as Bubba. (Guess what? I got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell) “Kickin' Stones” takes a more joyful tone and reminisces on the simple and sometimes mundane day today.
The following crunchy riff and hat heavy drums of “Mississippi” takes us straight back to the Deep South, where Back Roads lays its roots, with a tale about working at the infamous Dockery's plantation. In a wry nod to Brown's youth, “Old Town” is an ode to anyone who grew up in that small country town, and the deep seated need to break free before succumbing to ennui and apathy. “Crossroads”, a pared back take on the notorious tale of Robert Johnson selling his soul to the devil, closes out the album. From the grimy juke joints of Mississippi to copper stills hidden in the Georgia woods, and everything between the devil and Deep South Dixie, Back Roads is leaden with a sense of nostalgia, both personal and collective, with stories close to the hearts of its creators, and evokes an image of the Delta Blues in all its glory."
Stacey Brown - NQ Music Press
GLENNA LYNES
Being born in the Deep South of The United States and having a skilled blues harmonica playing father will always have an effect on a young child. Glenna was no exception, growing up in South Carolina and Georgia she had blues music in her blood and was surrounded by regular extended music sessions regularly. It’s the Southern way. Raised on a healthy diet of 50’s 60’s and 70’s rock and blues classic hits, Glenna grew up a natural performer. After stints on piano, fiddle and oboe it became obvious to everyone including herself that she had carried her number one instrument with her the whole time, her voice. Smashing today's auto-tuned, pop/R&B stereotypical sounds with her vocal sledge hammer, Glenna’s voice is rooted deeply in soul, guts and pure conviction. When the singing starts, the Lady Valiant front woman's voice commands attention. Just as her idols before her, such as Aretha Franklin, Mavis Staples, Janis Joplin and Big Mama Thornton, Glenna’s performances are not easily forgotten .
MARTY BROWN
Marty was given his first guitar by his grandmother at the age of 12. A “beaten down old classical nylon string beast with a string action you could push a slice of bread through”. Nevertheless, this one gift was enough to change the world as he knew it. From that moment on, practice sessions with a locked bedroom door was a daily occurrence through his teenage years. An avid hard rock fan, Marty quickly moved to electric guitar and unleashed through the power of amplifiers but as the years progressed found himself being drawn back to acoustic guitars, in particular fingerstyle playing and experimenting heavily with alternate and open tunings. Growing up in the tiny regional Victorian town of Yackandandah, in a household which almost always had either a cassette, record or CD playing, Marty found his influences were plentiful. It wasn’t until later moving to Far North Queensland that he would co-found another folk band with friends and make music his profession. After spending time living in the Deep Southern region of the USA Marty rediscovered the blues and has since made dirty slide guitar a part of the Lady Valiant soundscape.
MATT GERDES
Being dragged to band practices and gigs as a kid Matt was introduced to music by his dad, Jim. Having discovered his brother’s drum kit in the spare room he discovered he liked to hit things with sticks. At age 10 he decided to take up the saxophone after Jim expressly forbid him from learning the guitar. Somewhere in the middle of his high school experience, Matt decided that guitar would be a way better way to get the girls. Decades later he realised where he was going wrong and took up the bass instead. Matt has now come to realise that fast cars get the girls, not music. Unfortunately the development of his addiction to purchasing musical instruments means he will never be able to afford a fast car. Luckily the heat of the bass amp is enough to keep him warm at night.
JAMES 'FRY' ALLEN
Raised in a very wet & cold Cumbria, North West England. Fry has been playing the ‘pots n pans’ since he bought his first Premier Rock kit in 1990. Starting a high school band with best mates playing covers, writing originals, & playing every gig you can think of! In the early 2000’s Fry’s band ‘Broke’ toured much of England playing funk based blues originals. After a full on ‘rock n roll’ emotional & mental break down Fry emigrated to Queensland Australia, bought a stunning 1950’s Slingerland kit that's rich in both sound & history. Fry was straight back on the wagon doing what he loved.
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